Celebrities Who Are Or Have Been Into Northern Soul

[Guest OntheScene]

Hi,

I was just wondering how many celebrity soulies there have been past and present such as people like Steve Davies - the Snooker player, Anna Ford the news reader anybody like to contribute to the list?

[Simsy]

Can't find original thread on this. But Dale Winton is another name for your list.

Anna Ford went to the Casino once. Not sure she's a soulie though.

Edited January 8, 2006 by Simsy

[Geordiejohnson]

Eric Knowles antiques expert from antiques road show has on many an occaision mentioned his collecting passion for soul and once stated "im a northern soul boy" on TV

Geeooooordie

[Supercorsa]

Where's Shane when you need a bit of name-dropping?

[Soulsmith]

Can't find original thread on this. But Dale Winton is another name for your list.

Anna Ford went to the Casion once. Not sure she's a soulie though.

Paul O'Grady has mentioned Dale Winton going to the Casino a couple of times.

Anna Ford isn't a soulie, she is way too dull. She went to the Casino whist on some half baked assignment.

Col

I saw Wayne Hemmingway (TV Presenter & fashion geru) do a set at Chichester all-dayer last year. Miserable git left without saying good-bye.

[asboannie]

OntheScene' date='Jan 8 2006, 04:54 PM

Hi,

I was just wondering how many celebrity soulies there have been past and present such as people like Steve Davies - the Snooker player, Anna Ford the news reader anybody like to contribute to the list?

[Guest SteveC]

Eric Knowles antiques expert from antiques road show has on many an occaision mentioned his collecting passion for soul and once stated "im a northern soul boy" on TV

Geeooooordie

MET HIM LAST SUMMER WHILST HE WAS FILMING ON THE IOW AND HE WAS AS KEEN AS MUSTARD TO KNOW HOW THE SCENE WAS EVOLVING NOWADAYS. HE WAS ESPECIALLY SHOCKED TO HEAR ABOUT THE MOMENTUM THATS GATHERED ON THE CONTINENT. NICE GEEZER!!

[Guest Brian J]

Paul O'Grady has mentioned Dale Winton going to the Casino a couple of times.

Anna Ford isn't a soulie, she is way too dull. She went to the Casino whist on some half baked assignment.

Col

I saw Wayne Hemmingway (TV Presenter & fashion geru) do a set at Chichester all-dayer last year. Miserable git left without saying good-bye.

I interviewed Wayne once, thoroughly nice chap. We had a good chat about the scene and apparently he did frequent the Casino at least once. His father is none other than Billy Two Rivers, the famous wrestler from the 60's.

[Guest kid mohair]

Can't find original thread on this. But Dale Winton is another name for your list.

Anna Ford went to the Casion once. Not sure she's a soulie though.

I was at a house party and was speaking to dale winton and he did go soul dos/ allnighters

[Wally Francis]

Chris Waddle former England Int Footballer & Les Ferdinand have a likeing for Northern Soul.Was told Chris Waddle has a decent record collection aswell.

[Simsy]

Can't find original thread on this. But Dale Winton is another name for your list.

Anna Ford went to the Casino once. Not sure she's a soulie though.

Stuart Maconie.

Edited January 8, 2006 by Simsy

[jocko]

Find this an amusing topic, one thing I liked about the Northern Scene was celebrity didn't matter, some dj's generally might have thought different but again on the more underground days they wouldn't have got away with acting like a celebrity. To me the more celebrities you have on the scene it shows how diluted the scene is since very few of these celebritities stick around once its not so trendy.

More interesting are people who were on the scene before becoming celebrity and have kept connections, one such chap has recently joined us on SS, probably more a celebrity in Scottish football circles today but an all round good egg! Won't name him in case he blushes but will say his finest moment was his article for NME about Glenrothes All-Nighter

Cheers

Jock

[ockers]

journalist/tv presenter stuart cosgrove does he count?

was at the last togetherness and many events over the years

[Guest Baz]

The guy from 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisp's, goes to nighters every now and then, was at the last Keele, Lee Oakes his name is i think

[Simon M]

journalist/tv presenter stuart cosgrove does he count?

was at the last togetherness and many events over the years

Steve Davis and Tony Cottee

[Simsy]

John Bradbury - Formerly of the Specials.

In addition to his vast knowledge of Reggae, John Bradbury was a dedicated fan of Northern Soul, which resulted in his production of 'Sock It To 'Em J.B' appearing on The Specials second album. After The Specials split, and while remaining involved with The Special AKA, Bradbury decided the time was right to set up his own soul revue band, and so JB's Allstars were born.

The project was signed by RCA, allowing the releases to be put out on their RCA Victor label, making JB's Allstars the first artist to appear on the label since Elvis Presley...

Four singles were released on RCA Victor with only one reaching the UK Charts; 'Backfield In Motion' (RCA 384) reaching No. 48 in February '84 was a revival of the 1969 US million-seller written and originally performed by Mel & Tim.

[Eamesy]

The guy from 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisp's, goes to nighters every now and then, was at the last Keele, Lee Oakes his name is i think

Is that the tall one who was in "Once Upon A Time In Wigan" this year??

Alan

[Guest Baz]

Is that the tall one who was in "Once Upon A Time In Wigan" this year??

Alan

Yeah i think he was

[jocko]

journalist/tv presenter stuart cosgrove does he count?

was at the last togetherness and many events over the years

Why don't you ask him, think you will find he is on here under a football related user ID

Cheers

Jock

[Eamesy]

Yeah i think he was

Thought it was. Photo of him & rest of Wigan cast with Brian Rae in my gallery.

Alan

[sister dawn]

Paul Smith.. designer... Paul O'Grady too... Mark Almond was before he dissed the scene and had an emergency stomach pump at A and E.... Jules Holland too has professed a liking for northern

[Codfromderby]

Paul Smith.. designer... Paul O'Grady too... Mark Almond was before he dissed the scene and had an emergency stomach pump at A and E.... Jules Holland too has professed a liking for northern

re mark almond, just thought of a few of his favourite tunes (if youi know what i mean ) but dare not put them up (or dare i ), on more sober note trevor east ex central tv and tiswas man was a soulie around derby years ago, and people reckon jane torvill of torvill and dean fame used to be a regular at notts palais and the britt, i never recognised her but Then again i have only seen her when she has been skating dressed in short glittery numbers, not doing backdrops etc

[Guest]

The guy from 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisp's, goes to nighters every now and then, was at the last Keele, Lee Oakes his name is i think

[soulAdequateNP]

re mark almond, just thought of a few of his favourite tunes (if youi know what i mean ) but dare not put them up (or dare i ), on more sober note trevor east ex central tv ATV and tiswas man

Fixed for original "label"

[Guest Baz]

Thought you would put that pic up, when you see that post Janine

[Guest vinylvixen]

John Bradbury - Formerly of the Specials.

In addition to his vast knowledge of Reggae, John Bradbury was a dedicated fan of Northern Soul, which resulted in his production of 'Sock It To 'Em J.B' appearing on The Specials second album. After The Specials split, and while remaining involved with The Special AKA, Bradbury decided the time was right to set up his own soul revue band, and so JB's Allstars were born.

The project was signed by RCA, allowing the releases to be put out on their RCA Victor label, making JB's Allstars the first artist to appear on the label since Elvis Presley...

Four singles were released on RCA Victor with only one reaching the UK Charts; 'Backfield In Motion' (RCA 384) reaching No. 48 in February '84 was a revival of the 1969 US million-seller written and originally performed by Mel & Tim.

When I used to stay with Jerry D in Coventry back in the day, I did John Bradbury a tape of Northern...probably 1979...just before Gangsters had charted and he was still working in (I think) HMV's in Coventry.........brilliant bloke and very enthusiastic. The Campbell Bros out of UB40 were rumoured to have gone to the Casino..........and Billy Corkhill...........the actor who plays him - loves his soul....

[Guest in town Mikey]

Dale Winton was at quite a few of the Rocket niters. Good dancer too.

And the lad (sorry mate useless with names) who is in the orange adverts with the wise Oriental man. The Northern boy is the one who 'translates' the old boys words. He can be seen dancing near and sitting on the 100 club stage regularly. I think he is in some comedy prog, but if its on after 9pm, I am generally asleep. Opps is that the time. Night all

[kirkatron]

Former club DJ's Pete Waterman and Peter Stringfellow.

[Guest Netspeaky]

Steve Davies, bought some singles of me at a black music record fair in Brixton, back in the 80's, I think he also bought some off Mark Bicknell, who had a stall next to me.

[Guest ShaneH]

john 'budgie' burridge the ex footie keeper (loads of clubs - newcastle,man city,pigs and more)

i saw him a few times including prestwich last year. absolute nutter.

i was told a few months back by another celeb who likes his soul that budgie used to ask his missus to throw oranges across the lounge for him to dive and catch

Shane

[Dolly13]

Hi,

I was just wondering how many celebrity soulies there have been past and present such as people like Steve Davies - the Snooker player, Anna Ford the news reader anybody like to contribute to the list?

I was doing the door in the Northern room at Cambersands Scooter rally a few years ago and that Shane Richie was there looking like he was having the best time

[Guest]

,as i said to him,i know you dont i,

[leev]

shaun ryder of the mondays came to a soul night i did in newquay back in the 80s, i sat chatting to him for a while, he informed me anybody who wa anybody on his estate quote all the top boys were into northern.

manny of the stone roses and primal scream also is bang into his northern, i booked him to play newquay

but the venue management pulled out, in the interim period during one of the phone conversations manny told me he loves his soul and sometimes when he's dee jaying which is what i was booking him for, he drops the odd sound.

and the roses flawed genius ian brown featured a good few northern tracks on his under the influence comipilation album he put out a year or so back.

this was a corking album of tracks by other artists that had influenced him , including hip hop reggae and soul stuff.

[Guest ShaneH]

shaun ryder of the mondays came to a soul night i did in newquay back in the 80s, i sat chatting to him for a while, he informed me anybody who wa anybody on his estate quote all the top boys were into northern.

manny of the stone roses and primal scream also is bang into his northern, i booked him to play newquay

but the venue management pulled out, in the interim period during one of the phone conversations manny told me he loves his soul and sometimes when he's dee jaying which is what i was booking him for, he drops the odd sound.

and the roses flawed genius ian brown featured a good few northern tracks on his under the influence comipilation album he put out a year or so back.

this was a corking album of tracks by other artists that had influenced him , including hip hop reggae and soul stuff.

ian brown - absolute legend to me. pleasantly surprised by the addition of 'lover-de-lites'

Shane

[soulfulsaint]

journalist/tv presenter stuart cosgrove does he count?

was at the last togetherness and many events over the years

Do me a favour? Never heard of him. Was that the Stuart Cosgrove from Echoes and the NME that used to write for northern soul fanzines. I thought he was arrested with Johnny Bragg. Does he still support St Johnstone? Pathetic.

[Guest stevemcmahon]

Paul Smith.. designer... Paul O'Grady too... Mark Almond was before he dissed the scene and had an emergency stomach pump at A and E.... Jules Holland too has professed a liking for northern

You can remove Sir Paul from your list. I used to be his PR in the US and can state he used to like telling stories of Soulies in the Notts shop but was never into it himself - even though you'd think otherwise from that Soul Function documentary. Reason being he 'sponsored ' it - which in PR terms means he lends his logo to the credits and gets interview plus naff non-related, clothing 'interludes'.

[Simsy]

Corinne Drewery from 80's pop band Swing Out Sister.

Pictured below with Sir Richard Searling and someone we know.

[Driveller]

I once spoke to a bunch of Oasis/Primal Scream boys at the !00 Club, and Noel Gallagher clearly had an extensive background in Soul/Mod/Scooter-related stuff, though Andrew Innes of the Scream seemed to be the one most into Northern proper. I did them some tapes of Northern stuff and they expressed interest in having me play some Northern sets at their aftershows, etc, but nothing came of it. I did get rung up about it at work by Noel's girlfriend, Meg Matthews who was still doing promotion at Creation at the time, and was a bit of a celeb for being Noel's missus, but the blasted woman rang when I was at my desk, so I missed out on the tannoy blasting out "Nick Brown, Meg Matthews on line one" all over the office - the looks on everyone's faces would have been fun, for about three seconds. Anyway, I think all that Britpop lot were into Northern and related stuff to some extent, though I suspect that it was a bit more of an accessory for Blur, who never seemed to 'get' it, if you know what I mean. As for Soft Cell, I thought it was Dave Ball who was the more active Soulie, though I'm willing to be corrected.

I'll get me coat.

Nick

[Sweeney]

Do me a favour? Never heard of him. Was that the Stuart Cosgrove from Echoes and the NME that used to write for northern soul fanzines. I thought he was arrested with Johnny Bragg. Does he still support St Johnstone? Pathetic.

I believe that's him. Now Head of Programmes at Channel 4. I believe he was responsible for finding Glenda McCleod's "No Stranger to Love" back in the day.

Edited January 10, 2006 by sweeney

[Guest]

I belive that's him. Now Head of Programmes at Channel 4. I believe he was responsible for finding Glenda McCleod's "No Stranger to Love" back in the day.

"Soulfulsaint" is Mr. Cosgrove i believe!

Derek

[Ged Parker]

Alex Lester on Radio two 3am to 6am weekdays plays records from his own collection 'Lester's Library' every morning. Yesterdays selection - That's Enough - Roscoe Robinson. I nearly crashed on the M6

[Tomangoes]

John Peel RIP, played Margaret Mandolph - Something Beautiful, and Lee Roye - Tears one night on his evening show. Was he a secret soulie?

Ed

[Dave Abbott]

The project was signed by RCA, allowing the releases to be put out on their RCA Victor label, making JB's Allstars the first artist to appear on the label since Elvis Presley...

Four singles were released on RCA Victor with only one reaching the UK Charts; 'Backfield In Motion' (RCA 384) reaching No. 48 in February '84 was a revival of the 1969 US million-seller written and originally performed by Mel & Tim.

i bought 2 or 3 of their singles when they came out. quite good they were

[Markw]

John Peel RIP, played Margaret Mandolph - Something Beautiful, and Lee Roye - Tears one night on his evening show. Was he a secret soulie?

Ed

Don't think you could categorise that fantastic man as a soulie, a rockie, a punkie or indeed anything! He loved it all. I do believe he did a radio show in the 70s from Wigan. Who can confirm? Any details on the show - format, tunes, stuff like that?

[Guest Billy Anorak]

Stuart Cosgrove the some time arty pundit and station executive on Channel 4 used to go to the 100 Club,as I recall with his mate a geezer called Ceaser

[Markw]

Obviously the Modfather, Viscount Woking needs a mention. Believed to have been seen at the 100 Club in the early 80s (post-Jam). I certainly saw his Style Council sidekick and still a collaborator with the Weller collective, Mick Talbot - the original Merton Parka. Also used to see the chap from Jo Boxers stomping the floor down there at that time too.

What about Dexy's frontman, Kevin Rowlands. West Midlander, said to have gone to Wigan. "Back in 68 in a sweaty club......O Geno!"

Number of them here in sunny South Wales remember Steve Harrington, alias Steve Strange of Visage fame.

[Guest Karen Heath]

I once spoke to a bunch of Oasis/Primal Scream boys at the !00 Club, and Noel Gallagher clearly had an extensive background in Soul/Mod/Scooter-related stuff, though Andrew Innes of the Scream seemed to be the one most into Northern proper. I did them some tapes of Northern stuff and they expressed interest in having me play some Northern sets at their aftershows, etc, but nothing came of it. I did get rung up about it at work by Noel's girlfriend, Meg Matthews who was still doing promotion at Creation at the time, and was a bit of a celeb for being Noel's missus, but the blasted woman rang when I was at my desk, so I missed out on the tannoy blasting out "Nick Brown, Meg Matthews on line one" all over the office - the looks on everyone's faces would have been fun, for about three seconds. Anyway, I think all that Britpop lot were into Northern and related stuff to some extent, though I suspect that it was a bit more of an accessory for Blur, who never seemed to 'get' it, if you know what I mean. As for Soft Cell, I thought it was Dave Ball who was the more active Soulie, though I'm willing to be corrected.

I'll get me coat.

Nick

Sorry about the name dropping here but I became friendly with Noel Gallagher and Meg Mathews several years ago when they gave a home to four of my rescue cats and a mistreated dog! Noel was indeed into the music as were a few of the Primal's. Bobby Gillespie said that James and Bobby Purify's "I'm your puppet" was one of his favourite records and one day when we were in their studio, he gave an impromptu performance of this with just him and his guitar-it was great! We went to see the marvellous Dan Penn with them and Andy Innes came to see Sam Dees and a couple of P.A's at the 100 club.

I went to a few Oasis parties and there were always a few a few Northern tunes thrown in.

Gem who joined Oasis later was also a fan and for a while phoned me to see what was on and came to a few soul do's including The Dome and Nick's Scenesville.

By the by, once when I was at Noel's house, Meg and I were playing music and "rock and roll" Noel came in and reprimanded us for playing it too loud.

Name dropping and w*nkiness over!

[Markw]

Oh yeah! Forgot to mention, Mark Riley, alias Matt Bianco. He was more into your jazz funk than Northern. Hitched back from Yate to High Wycombe one Sunday morning with him.

Prior to Matt Bianco, he was in Blue Rondo A La Turk with Tony Gordon - well known character on the scene and superb dancer (is he still around?).

[Gene-r]

Sorry about the name dropping here but I became friendly with Noel Gallagher and Meg Mathews several years ago when they gave a home to .......a mistreated dog!

I say it's Liam's fault - he should never had married Patsy Kensit in the first place!

Edited January 10, 2006 by Gene-R

[Cheapsiderecords]

Reluctant to use the word "Celebrity" but I am sure 70's Coventry City player Mickie Ginn was a soul boy and had a decent collection.

Why I remember this I have no idea!!